In 1971, Tom and Sue Carroll opened The Mainstay Inn, Cape May's first bed-and-breakfast. From their first sight of the Inn (originally called Jackson's Clubhouse), the owners were intrigued by the amount of original features that had survived in the building through the years. Elaborate gasoliers hung from ornate plaster medallions and many of the lovely furnishings belonging to the Clubhouse were still in place. The building had a feeling of grandeur like no other in town.

In 1980 they acquired the Mainstay Cottage, a neighboring property built in 1870 and designed by the same architect, Stephen Decatur Button. Six of their most popular rooms and suites are in this building which is joined to the Inn by a brick walkway traversing a lovely garden complete with a Victorian fountain.

In 1993 they purchased the derelict building across Columbia Avenue from the Inn and Cottage. They named it The Officers' Quarters because it had once been home for Navy Officers during WWI. This building had to be renovated so completely, they were able to save little of the original structure; however, they added many amenities which could not be incorporated into the older structures such as fireplaces, whirlpool tubs, private balconies, Bose CD and radios, private phones and televisions.

Diving

Disabled facilities

Car park

Tennis, paddle or squash courts

Air conditioning

Whirlpool

Hair dryer

Beach 2 mn.   

Golf 9 km.